Key findings
- Milk-V Duo S offers a cost-effective entry into RISC-V, but does not have GUI support and is therefore ideal for technically savvy users.
- Flipper Zero is not a conventional SBC but a powerful hacking tool for cybersecurity enthusiasts that is worth its price.
- ZimaBlade is the best SBC for NAS needs, a compact storage server with Intel processors and robust storage.
While single-board computers are an amazingly inexpensive solution for DIY projects, they can be quite complex for beginners. As if their peculiar connectors and reliance on the Linux terminal weren't enough, newcomers to the SBC space can be intimidated by the abundance of options available on the market. So I've put together a list of the best entry-level SBCs to help you choose the right device for all your tinkering needs.
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6 Milk-V Duo S
An affordable RISC-V system
While RISC-V isn't the perfect platform for beginners, there's no denying that it's become much more accessible to the average user. That's largely thanks to Milk-V's budget-friendly options like the Duo S. For just $10, the Duo S packs a surprisingly fast SG2000 SoC and can switch between RISC-V and ARM cores at the touch of a button.
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My first practical experience with RISC-V was with the Milk-V Duo S and I am thrilled
The Milk-V Duo S is a RISC-V SBC with an Arm CPU, which you cannot use yet.
Unfortunately, the Duo S isn't higher on this list because you can't load a GUI operating system onto the SBC. Instead, you have to connect it to your PC and run commands over SSH, which isn't very beginner-friendly. Despite its flaws, the Duo S is undoubtedly the best SBC if you're looking to get into the RISC-V market.
5 Pinball Zero
To unleash the cybersecurity enthusiast in you
Let me preface this section by saying that the Flipper Zero isn't exactly an SBC in the traditional sense. However, the ability to flash custom firmware and connect GPIO devices helps it make it onto this list. In case you haven't heard of it, the Flipper Zero is an all-in-one hacking and pen testing tool and is quite a hit in the cybersecurity space.
For example, you can use it to check the confidentiality of your Wi-Fi password or analyze wireless signals from your IoT devices. If you want to learn the intricacies of cybersecurity, the Flipper Zero is more than worth the money.
4 ZimaBlade
For all your NAS needs
Not everyone needs a loud, power-hungry NAS system connected to countless storage drives. However, SBC-powered NAS solutions can alleviate your backup and file sharing woes without taking up a lot of space or driving up your electricity bill.
Designed for NAS workloads, the ZimaBlade is clearly the best SBC for anyone needing a compact storage server. The Intel processors that power the ZimaBlade are far more powerful than the Arm CPUs on competing SBCs. Not only does this cool-sounding SBC have integrated SATA ports, but it can also be equipped with 16GB of memory for better performance in virtualization tasks.
3 Raspberry Pi Zero 2W
The perfect balance between price and functionality
The Milk-V Duo S may be the cheapest SBC on this list, but the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W is far more intuitive for beginners. Despite its cute size, this extremely affordable SBC can run the GUI-based Raspberry Pi operating system without major lag. While it doesn't have the power of Raspberry Pi's motherboards, you can replicate many of the popular community-built projects on the Zero 2 W.
If you have never owned an SBC before and just want to dive into the DIY world without spending more than $20, there is no better option than RPi Zero 2 W.
2 Orange Pi 5 Pro
When performance is paramount
At the other end of the performance spectrum is the Orange Pi 5 Pro, a monster of an SBC powered by the high-end Rockchip RK3588S processor. Along with its integrated 6 TOPS NPU and 16GB of storage, the Orange Pi 5 Pro has a ton of ports, including the extremely rare full-size HDMI port and a proper PCIe 2.0 slot that doesn't require you to invest in an external adapter for using SSDs.
The device is not lacking in terms of operating systems either, as Orange Pi offers seven operating systems for the SBC. With its superior performance, the Orange Pi 5 Pro would have dominated this list if it weren't for the advantages of its arch-enemy…
Orange Pi 5 Pro 16GB LPDDR5
1 Raspberry Pi 5
The gold standard for SBCs
The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W may be the best option for budget-conscious users, but the RPi 5 blows the competition away when it comes to software compatibility and community support. As the flagship of the most popular SBC range, the Raspberry Pi 5 can be used to build any project you can imagine, be it a retro gaming machine, a home assistant hub, a weather station, an FM radio, or even a network-wide firewall!
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The Raspberry Pi 5 is one of the most powerful consumer SBCs available. Unfortunately, due to limited quantities, it will be difficult to find one.
Having built so many projects with the Raspberry Pi 5, I must admit that the device has some shortcomings. The RPi 5 is far from the most powerful SBC, and you will need to invest in a cooling solution as the device tends to overheat even with a light workload. But there is no denying that the Raspberry Pi is the best choice for any newbie who wants to keep things as straightforward as possible when building SBC projects.
Bring your cool ideas to life with these useful SBCs
Aside from the options I've highlighted so far, there are a few notable additions to keep an eye on. If you plan on running AI and machine learning algorithms, the Libre Compute Alta is a low-cost SBC that comes with a 5 TOPS NPU. The Odroid H3+, meanwhile, is perfect for those who want NUC performance from an SBC-sized device. For fans of retro titles, the Anbernic RG35XXSP is a neat little gaming handheld that can emulate many consoles without burning a hole in your wallet.
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